How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Disasters

Keeping your home and property safe is a priority year round. However, winter weather brings on additional safety hazards that, if neglected, can be dangerous. Learn tips to keep you and your home safe during the winter season.

Preparation Tips

Wash spray equipment, such as a hose or sprinkler, and put it away for the season.

Keep the furnace and flue in good condition.

Make sure combustible material such as spray cans or paint are not near a heater or any source of heat.

Ensure proper ventilation for the heating system(s).

Change furnace filters regularly. If there is a blower, have it cleaned and oiled.

Have fireplace inspected for loose mortar.

Be sure a screen covers the fireplace opening in your home.

Drain the swimming pool and cover it. Put chemicals away in a safe place where children can't reach them. Lock all outside entrances to the pool.

Disconnect all pool electrical equipment.

Use lighting outside that is designed for outdoor use, including weatherproof cords, plugs, sockets and connections.

Provide ample light outdoors from the street and driveway to the entrance and interior of the home to illuminate snow and ice patches.

Homeowner policy terms, conditions and coverages may vary. Check with your adjuster or Allstate agent to verify what losses are covered due to cold weather damage.

All rights reserved. This article includes copyrighted material of "Safety Sense in the Home" written by Heward Grafftey and Richard A. McInenly, Ph.D, and copyrighted 1990, Safety Sense Enterprises, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with their permission.